IR-1/CR-1 Montreal DQ'd private message group goes public part 3

[mam521 2,029]

13 hours ago, Coricat said:

From my observation today at the consulate, lady's purse and even plastic bags (sizeable, enough to carry a thick stack of documents) are allowed in. However, anything that resembles a backpack, no matter how small, is not allowed. And yes, like others have said, you can't carry the phone with you to the interview floor. 

Please fill in your timeline.  Instructions are in my signature.  Also, please check the FAQ's.  Most of your questions/observations have been encompassed there.  

[Danii 312]

12 hours ago, Shumai84 said:

I'm gathering documents to bring with me to the interview. Do I need to bring an original birth certificate of the petitioner to the interview?

Hi! Here's an answer I posted a while back. I'm not sure who runs the FAQ, but can this please be added @Hawk Riders ? I see this question asked once a week! 

 

"I mentioned that we were not required to upload [the petitioners birth certificate] to NVC, and Montreal only asks for it if it "applicable" (though they didn't mention when it's applicable), so maybe you won't need it at the interview. 

 

This is what NVC says under petitioner documents: "If you are applying for an IR5 visa as the parent of a U.S. citizen or for an F4 visa as the brother or sister of a U.S. citizen: You must obtain an original birth certificate for your petitioner, or a certified copy." (The paragraph goes on to say that for CR1/IR1, if the petitioner was previously married, you need to bring documentation of that. It does not mention birth certificate)

 

I messaged the consulate asking them to confirm if the petitioners birth certificate was not required for IR1/CR1. This was their reply: "If you were previously advised that the petitioner’s birth certificate is not necessary for the processing of the case, you do not need to provide it at the time of your interview appointment." 

 

It's kind of vague... But I think it's safe to say you don't need it. I definitely understand that it's easier to just bring it with you just in case. But if you are for some reason unable to get it to Canada, I think you'll be okay. I think you will still need to bring something that proves your petitioners status."

Edited July 20, 2021 by Danii

[DGF 730]

12 hours ago, Shumai84 said:

I'm gathering documents to bring with me to the interview. Do I need to bring an original birth certificate of the petitioner to the interview?

 

I only have a photocopy of my partner's (US citizen) birth certificate, but the instruction below is a bit confusing and I'm wondering if I actually need an original:

 

"Your original birth certificate and that of your petitioner if applicable, English translation, and a photocopy."

 

But there is another instruction also saying below, which seems to indicate the petitioner's original birth certificate is not needed if an original passport is available: 

 

"If you previously submitted to NVC an I-864 affidavit of support (AOS):  Bring proof of your petitioner’s legal status in the United States (photocopy of a U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or legal permanent resident card) and their federal U.S. tax return (Form 1040) from the previous year."

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html#pre_interview_checklist

 

Did everyone bring original birth certificates of the petitioners or alternatives like passports?

This was answered a few pages back and requirements for the interview are also covered in the FAQ. Additionally, I'd recommend checking out consulate reviews (on VJ) as people frequently list what they were asked to show.

 

[DGF 730]

27 minutes ago, Danii said:

I see this question asked once a week!

Same! FAQ updated.

[opallynn 30]

On 7/19/2021 at 8:10 AM, Kai (CanadaDude) said:

I'm back in Canada now and exempt from quarantine! No issues at the Canadian border, my free Walgreens ID NOW NAAT Test was accepted by the CBSA and my proof of vaccination was also accepted. My experience was surprisingly routine as outside of being handed the Covid-test and having it administered it felt like a regular pre-pandemic border experience. I hit the Douglas/Peace Arch border crossing. Used the ArriveCAN app, had a printout of the lab results that Walgreens provided me via email, my Fraser Health Vaccination card (with a Rite-Aid 2nd Moderna Shot given in the US) and took a taxi from 0 Ave back to home. Was all smooth. Hope my experience helps y'all out returning to Canada for your interviews.

Out of curiosity, when/how were you able to cross into the states with a pending visa? Or were you there the whole time?  If it was a visit, did you use any paperwork in order to be allowed to cross?

[Kai G. Llewellyn 832]

31 minutes ago, AMooseInTheHoose said:

Out of curiosity, when/how were you able to cross into the states with a pending visa? Or were you there the whole time?  If it was a visit, did you use any paperwork in order to be allowed to cross.

I'm a UK citizen, so I entered under ESTA/VWP. I carried a large proof of my ties to Canada, i.e. job, tenancy, financial ties, proof of self-sufficiency. I hadn't been to the US since March 2020 and flew down to Seattle from Vancouver, I had a refundable return ticket as they won't let you board without it...at least that's the rule for VWP travelers.

 

I had no issues with CBP. They didn't even ask me about my pending visa, they just asked how long I was staying, where I was going and who I was visiting. I have extensive pre-pandemic travel history to the US, so I guess I was considered low risk.

 

 

[ANL 41]

55 minutes ago, AMooseInTheHoose said:

Out of curiosity, when/how were you able to cross into the states with a pending visa? Or were you there the whole time?  If it was a visit, did you use any paperwork in order to be allowed to cross?

It really depends who you get at the border. I never had a problem. I'm from Canada and I went on a couple short visits while I was still working so I took proof of that with me (a letter from my boss) but was never asked for it, as well as proof of return ticket. I quit my job in July 2020 and 'moved' to the States with my husband in August 2020. I technically didn't have any ties really except that I would return in 6months or for my interview, whichever came first. And I did go back in Feb 2021 for a few weeks and am planning to return again next month from my second 6 month stay. I had all my paperwork with me in a folder to prove that I'm waiting for my visa but was never asked for it. They believed my word. But I also had a long track record of going to the States and returning when I said I would so maybe that helped. Everyone's experience is different. It's a risk that you have to weigh whether you're willing to take it or not. And plenty of prayer.

Edited July 20, 2021 by ANL

[alphabetagamma 102]

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-statistics/immigrant-visa-statistics/monthly-immigrant-visa-issuances.html

 

Compared to May 2021 with 125 IRI and 52 CRI, June 2021 had only 37 IRI and 10 CRI interviews scheduled 😐

[Magnolian 47]

On 7/14/2021 at 3:14 PM, B&Grr said:

YAY!! it's issued now!

 

finally got my parent's names on my birth certificate fixed... sent it in June 14th. Took 5 days to get my 221(g) docs from BC to Montreal using their courier canada post service.

 

Status changed today

 

what is the typical time between "issued" to when the visa is sent out?

 

Hi @B&Grr My visa status is as same as yours..... I am surprised as I just had interview yesterday. I was wondering if you have received your

visa/passport and, if you did, how long it took.

 

[A + K 1]

Hello everyone!

 

Does anybody have experience with staying a long time in the US? I know we are asked this question during our interview, "what was your longest stay in the US"? I'm just wondering if it would have a negative impact on me getting my green card? I know legally we can stay 6 months and I have a legitimate reason to be here (my MIL is getting chemo until October 20 and I am responsible for bringing her weekly there). I've been here since May 30th. Also, with COVID I cannot just come and go as the US border is not open. Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated! Stay strong everyone!!! 

 

I'm DQ'd Feb 2, 2021- anybody close to this? Hoping they speed up...really thought I'd be in by October but now it's looking like even next year maybe.....

[Twiz&Toz 240]

1 hour ago, alphabetagamma said:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-statistics/immigrant-visa-statistics/monthly-immigrant-visa-issuances.html

 

Compared to May 2021 with 125 IRI and 52 CRI, June 2021 had only 37 IRI and 10 CRI interviews scheduled 😐

With the year up in sept Montreal seems to be pushing more ir5 visas as the amount given out each year is limited and they haven’t used hardly any. Also looks like they doubled k1 visas to clear up backlog. I have a feeling in oct we will go back to our old numbers of 125 ish. Also thing reopening may help if they can’t get more staff in. They only have what ppl are reporting 2 ppl doing interviews and by doing some math was what I figured they had.

[Kai G. Llewellyn 832]

11 minutes ago, Twiz&Toz said:

With the year up in sept Montreal seems to be pushing more ir5 visas as the amount given out each year is limited and they haven’t used hardly any. Also looks like they doubled k1 visas to clear up backlog. I have a feeling in oct we will go back to our old numbers of 125 ish. Also thing reopening may help if they can’t get more staff in. They only have what ppl are reporting 2 ppl doing interviews and by doing some math was what I figured they had.

I don't think IR-5 visas are numerically limited because they're still considered immediate relatives, but for this category it's parents of USC's rather than spouses.

 

20 minutes ago, A + K said:

 

Hello everyone!

 

Does anybody have experience with staying a long time in the US? I know we are asked this question during our interview, "what was your longest stay in the US"? I'm just wondering if it would have a negative impact on me getting my green card? I know legally we can stay 6 months and I have a legitimate reason to be here (my MIL is getting chemo until October 20 and I am responsible for bringing her weekly there). I've been here since May 30th. Also, with COVID I cannot just come and go as the US border is not open. Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated! Stay strong everyone!!! 

 

I'm DQ'd Feb 2, 2021- anybody close to this? Hoping they speed up...really thought I'd be in by October but now it's looking like even next year maybe.....

Took me 289 days to get an Interview Letter. It might take you longer or not...but right now that's the wait-times so that puts you around November. We have no idea if the Consulate will increase CR/IR-1 appointments over the next few months...prepare for the worst and hope for the best I'd say.

 

Back in Sept 2020, I thought I'd be getting my interview between March-May 2021, but here we are now and mine's in August 4th...so as you can see it's hard to estimate because of how unpredictable the Consulate is.

Edited July 20, 2021 by Kai (CanadaDude)

[alphabetagamma 102]

11 minutes ago, Twiz&Toz said:

With the year up in sept Montreal seems to be pushing more ir5 visas as the amount given out each year is limited and they haven’t used hardly any. Also looks like they doubled k1 visas to clear up backlog. I have a feeling in oct we will go back to our old numbers of 125 ish. Also thing reopening may help if they can’t get more staff in. They only have what ppl are reporting 2 ppl doing interviews and by doing some math was what I figured they had.

yeah hoping so too that things will speed up next month onward. 

[A + K 1]

27 minutes ago, Kai (CanadaDude) said:

I don't think IR-5 visas are numerically limited because they're still considered immediate relatives, but for this category it's parents of USC's rather than spouses.

 

Took me 289 days to get an Interview Letter. It might take you longer or not...but right now that's the wait-times so that puts you around November. We have no idea if the Consulate will increase CR/IR-1 appointments over the next few months...prepare for the worst and hope for the best I'd say.

 

Back in Sept 2020, I thought I'd be getting my interview between March-May 2021, but here we are now and mine's in August 4th...so as you can see it's hard to estimate because of how unpredictable the Consulate is.

Thank you for your feedback/insight! I'm sorry you had to wait so long...

[alphabetagamma 102]

Sharing some stats for IR1 + CR1 vs Total. Couldn't find any pattern. Any comments?